Professor Hassan Ugail, a mathematician and a computer scientist

The Maldives Science Society has successfully held a science presentation. The presentation which was based on the recent scientific advances in realistic computer simulations was delivered by the eminent Bradford-University-based mathematician and scientist Professor Hassan Ugail. The presentation was held at the MCSE Seminar Room on 30 may 2010 at 8:30 pm.

Professor Ugail’s presentation was a graphic mix of cutting edge science and advanced mathematical modeling _ agreeably diluted for the general public _ and was well-received by an audience of a broad bandwidth of interests, including students from many schools. At the end of the presentation, Professor Ugail entertained a host of questions from an inquisitive audience.

Professor Ugail’s principal interests are in the areas of geometric design, computer-based physical analysis and Simulation Based Design. He is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EPSRC] and also a peer reviewer for the several related journals and conferences in his field of research.

Professor Ugail’s presentation was a graphic mix of cutting edge science and advanced mathematical modeling

Professor Hassan Ugail, PhD is a mathematician and a computer scientist at the School of Informatics; the University of Bradford. He is the first Maldivian to obtain a PhD in Mathematics. He is also the first Maldivian to receive professorship in the field of Science.

The Maldives Science Society has made plans to hold a science presentation on 30 May 2010. The presentation will be held at the MCSE Seminar Room at 8:30 pm.

The presentation, which is in fact a lecture, is centered around the recent scientific advances in the development of realistic computer based simulations that mimic natural phenomena.

The lecture is delivered by the mathematician and computer scientist Professor Hassan Ugail from the School of Informatics, University of Bradford.

Professor Ugail’s principal interests are in the areas of geometric design, computer-based physical analysis and design optimisation that falls under Simulation Based Design. He is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EPSRC] peer review college and also a peer reviewer for the several related journals and conferences in his field of research. This is what Professor Ugail has to say on the forthcoming lecture:

‘This lecture will focus on the recent scientific advances in developing realistic computer-based simulations to mimic various phenomena that occur in the real world. A major issue associated in creating truly believable computer-based simulations is related to a phenomenon called the “Uncanny Valley” which relates to how humans observe and react to such simulations. Climbing out of the Uncanny Valley _ and towards perfect realism in a virtual world _ is the biggest challenge to overcome in such computer simulations [e.g. Computer graphics and animation]. In fact this is now considered to be one of the holy grails in computer science. The lecture will present how Visual Computing techniques will help to climb out of the Uncanny Valley, and will discuss some of the major ground-breaking scientific discoveries that would follow.’

Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler, Research Scientist

The Maldives Science Society, in association with Aqua Dreams Imaging group, has held a marine biology presentation at Hiriha School. The presentation was held at 8 pm on 14 March 2010 and was attended by students from Hiriya School as well as members from some local NGO’s.

The presentation was given by the UK research scientist Anne Marie Kitchen Wheeler and was largely a slide show on manta rays interspersed with video clips and explanatory commentaries. The presentation touched upon the anatomy, habitat, place in the ecosystem and behavioral aspects of mantas as well as some of the ways in which mantas are threatened and how they can be protected. One important highlight of the presentation was the explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks millions of years ago. She also said that it is highly likely that the Maldives has the largest manta ray population in the world.

Hiryaa School Students

At the end of the presentation Anne Marie took questions from the audience.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler has individually identified over 1800 mantas and estimate there may be as many as 25000 mantas throughout the Maldives. Her research on migration activity by mantas within the Maldives was presented to the American Elasmobranch Society Devil Ray Symposium in July 2008 which was the largest meeting of manta specialists ever held.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Location: Hiriyaa School, Maafannu
Date: 14 March 2010
Time: 2000 hrs – 2130 hrs

The main objective of  STARGAZE, with Astronomers without borders is to create interest towards Astronomy amongst the youth and school children and to demonstrate how to use telescopes to view stars and other objects in space.

During the event, an astronomical researcher from the UK Thomas Goodey will make presentations to those present and students and visitors will also have a chance to view the stars and other objects with a computer controlled telescope.

The Maldives Open Source Society’s demonstration of how to use the open-source software ‘Stellarium‘ will also be a key highlight of the event. The event is to continue on the following day [19 February 2010] as well.

On both days the event will start at 7:00pm and end at 11:00pm.

Google maps location

"STARGAZE, with astronomers without borders" event location on google maps

UPDATE:

Programs will continue as we planned except the stargazing with the telescope. If the weather is good enough at the time of event we will try to arrange viewing at least some celestial objects in the sky.

Date: 18th Feb 2010
Time: 1900hrs to 2100hrs. (changed)

Credit & Copyright: Stefan Seip

A presentation given on what the scientists were researching on during the eclipse by Ed Oberg and Prof. Hector Munera .

Edward Oberg, mechanical engineer / project manager (retired), Sydney, Australia
He is here to observe the progress of the pendulum experiments during the solar eclipse and to correlate the results with the Iasoberg Model (www.iasoberg.com), a proposed pattern which he has developed for the pattern of the Allais effect across the Earth’s surface, that makes predictions for severe weather events and earthquakes. He is also coordinating data collection during the eclipse from a number of gravimeter stations around the Indian Ocean, for integration into his model.

Hector Munera, professor of physics (Newtonian mechanics), National University, Bogota, Colombia (retired)
Currently, Prof. Munera is devoted full-time to his main passion: research into the foundations of classical physics. He is in Maldives to witness the operation of the various pendulums that will be gathering data during the solar eclipse. He will use that data to determine if there are aspects of the dynamical behaviour of the pendulums during the eclipse that cannot be explained by current gravitational theory, and, if the answer is positive, to try develop an appropriate theoretical model.

Come and listen to Bill McKibben on how Maldives is more powerful than India, China & the US.

SAVE THE MALDIVES
SAVE THE WORLD

Date:    Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Time:    8:30pm – 10:30pm
Location:    Dhoshimeyna Hall, Dharubaaruge
Street:    Ameenee Magu

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Dr. Norman Quinn is a Marine Ecologist with a wide range of experience in the management of conservation projects, scientific research studies, and university level teaching. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Queensland in 1984. Presently, Dr Quinn is a J.W. Fulbright Fellow assisting in the capacity building at the Maldives Marine Research Center. Previously, he was employed by the University of the West Indies as the Director of the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory.

The presentation, whose theme is ‘the coral reefs of the Maldives’, is given by Verena Wiesbauer who holds Master of Science degrees in both Marine Biology and Zoology. A graduate of the famed University of Vienna, she is also a specialist on coral propagation and artificial reefs.

Verena was the Resident Marine Biologist at Huvafen Fushi island resort and was a key contributor to the realization of an artificial reef around the world’s first underwater spa at this resort. She also set up a coral nursery there.

Verena works closely with the tourists in the Maldives and her work includes guided snorkel tours, lectures, presentations etc.

Verena Wiesbauer – Marine Biologist/Zoologist